In Its Best Year Yet MDHB Collects Almost 1000 Presents for Needy Families this Christmas

21/12/2006 | Christmas Appeal 2006

With nearly 1000 presents collected MidCentral District Health Board is delighted with the generosity seen from staff and the wider community as its Christmas present appeal and foodbanks drive draws to an end.

An abundance of foodstuffs given to the drive included the much needed staples as well as some delicious treats to brighten Christmas for needy families in the Manawatu and Horowhenua regions.

Horowhenua Hospital reported “boxes and boxes” of foodstuffs collected as well as a total of 221 presents. Its appeal ended last Friday.

Yesterday, more than 20 boxes of food from Palmerston North Hospital were received with much gratitude at the Salvation Army, which was making up its Christmas hampers.

And Palmerston North Hospital, as a part of Kmart Palmerston North’s Wishing Tree Appeal, has reached a total of 803 presents – the best collection the hospital has seen since the appeal started four years ago.

The joint total is sitting at 2498 presents and Kmart is leading the national Wishing Tree Appeal tally.

MidCentral District Health Board CEO, Murray Georgel said: “The generosity shown here is brilliant and has certainly made this year’s Christmas present appeal and foodbanks drive a success. It is wonderful when we can all pull together to help bring some Christmas cheer to families within the district. We wish everyone a happy, healthy Christmas.”

Kmart Palmerston North manager, Jonathan Malone said: “I want to say a big thankyou to MidCentral DHB and to all those people from the community for their thoughtfulness and big-heartedness.”

At midday tomorrow, Palmerston North Hospital’s Christmas present appeal and foodbanks drive ends.